Wireless heads north-west to Virginia

28 Apr 200438 Views

Virginia, Co Cavan, is to receive wireless broadband coverage thanks to a new service launched today by broadband provider Digiweb Ltd. Virginia is only the second town in the county to become broadband enabled.

Behind the initiative is Virginia Broadband, a joint-venture between the Virginia Development Association (VDA) and Digiweb. The project is being co-funded by the Border Midlands and Western (BMW) Regional Assembly.

Early in 2003, the BMW Regional Assembly called for expressions of interest from towns wishing to provide a broadband infrastructure in their area. The VDA approached Digiweb with a view of putting forward a joint proposal. The project was selected as one of only three projects in the first phase of this programme, with further towns and locations being subsequently identified.

Digiweb will provide high speed internet connections to business, education and home customers in this area.

Welcoming the new service, Mary Whelan of the VDA, said: “The availability of broadband services in the town will be a significant enhancement in supporting the continued growth of our local businesses and tourism and will act as an additional attraction for inward investment considering locating here.”

Speaking at the launch today, Colm Piercy, Digiweb’s managing Director said that the company had been “overwhelmed” by the level of new orders.

Digiweb offers wireless broadband in Louth, Meath, North Dublin and now County Cavan.

The new service uses a small antenna unit attached near the roof that receives the signal. This connects directly to the computer without the need for additional equipment. Flat-rate monthly fees starting from €39 (including Vat). The business-oriented services include domain registration, company wide email and website hosting as standard.

This launch comes only weeks after the Dundalk-based company launched its nationwide ADSL services, having become only the fourth provider to wholesale DSL services from Eircom. Digiweb claims that the launch leaves it in the unique position of being the only company in the country to be able to offer broadband anywhere using the company’s portfolio of broadband services that include wireless, ADSL and satellite.

ADSL is currently available in 170 towns across the country. However, the telephone infrastructure in Virginia is not broadband enabled, hence the importance of establishing wireless broadband services in the area.